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Join on Telegram Marrakech – Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Saturday that his country will halt coal shipments to Israel in response to the ongoing war on Gaza, further straining relations between the two former allies.
In a post on social media platform X, Petro declared that coal exports will only resume “when the genocide in Gaza stops.” He also shared a draft decree stipulating that exports will only resume if Israel complies with a recent International Court of Justice order to withdraw troops from the Gaza Strip.
According to Colombia’s National Statistics Department, coal exports to Israel totaled over $320 million in the first eight months of 2023, a small fraction of the country’s $9 billion in total coal exports. More than half of Israel’s coal imports come from Colombia, primarily fueling its power plants, the American Journal for Transportation reports.
Petro, elected in 2022 as Colombia’s first leftist president, severed diplomatic ties with Israel in May, refusing to maintain relations with what he called the “genocidal” government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two countries continue to operate consulates and conduct trade in each other’s territories.
Historically, Colombia has relied heavily on Israel for military equipment and fighter jet maintenance. However, new arms purchases are now on hold amid deteriorating bilateral relations, which critics argue could undermine Colombia’s security as it battles drug cartels and rebel groups.
The Global Energy Embargo for Palestine advocacy group praised Colombia’s move, suggesting it could pressure Israel to alter its Gaza policies and impact West Bank Israeli settlements reliant on coal-powered electricity. The group called on other energy exporters like South Africa to follow suit.
Unlike his predecessors who maintained close ties with Israel, Petro has been a vocal critic of the nation. He initially declined to condemn the Hamas attack on October 7 that preceded Israel’s Gaza invasion.
The Times of Israel further reports that Bogota emphasized coal’s importance as “a strategic resource for the manufacture of weapons, the mobilization of troops and the manufacture of provisions for military operations.”
The Colombian Mining Association expressed concern over the potential export suspension, citing a 2020 trade treaty between the two countries, and warning it “jeopardizes confidence in markets and foreign investment.”
The relentless bombardment of Gaza continues throughout the besieged enclave. Over 37,000 Gazans have been killed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) since October 7.
On Saturday, the IOF launched a series of intense attacks on Gaza from air, land, and sea, resulting in the deadliest assault since the onset of Israel’s war on October 7, with over 200 deaths and widespread devastation. According to reports, evenmore new massacres have been committed in the region since these attacks.
As the offensive continues, Colombia’s unprecedented coal export ban marks a significant shift in its relationship with Israel, marking a staunch pro-Palestine stance on the war on Gaza.
Read also: UN To Add Israel to ‘Blacklist’ of Countries Harming Children in War
